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Relationship Warning Signs

Respectful relationships involve an equal balance of power and control between partners. When one partner has more control and/or power over the other there is the chance for violence and abuse, particularly intimate partner violence.

Having a respectful relationship doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything all the time. Having an argument is part of a normal relationship, but it’s never OK for one partner to hurt or threaten the other person to get their way. Arguments shouldn’t leave you feeling scared or afraid for your safety.

There are lots of behaviours that can warn you that your relationship may be heading down a dangerous path. Some possible warning signs include:

Your partner gets really jealous when you hang out with other people

Your partner tries to control what you do

Your partner becomes super serious about the relationship, real quick

Your partner is very moody and goes from happy to mad in no time at all

Your partner wants to hang out with you all the time without your family or friends around

Your partner believes in rigid gender roles – men make the money and women care for the home and children

Your partner blames others for his/her problems or feelings

You see your partner being cruel to animals and/or children

During arguments, your partner yells and calls you names

You find out that your partner has abused former partners

You partner threatens violence during an argument

Your partner pushes you out of the way during an argument (using force)

Your partner is really sensitive about criticism from other people

Your partner always checks in (phone/ text/ facebook) to see what you are up to, what you are doing and who you are with.

Your partner insults or puts down people that you care about, behind their backs

Your partner blames all of the problems of previous relationships on his/her previous partners

Your partner blames you when he/she treats you badly, telling you that you provoked him/her and you deserve it

Your partner refuses to let you end the relationship

Now, we aren’t saying that if your partner does one of these things you need to break up with them immediately. We are saying that if you are noticing some of these things creeping in, it is an opportunity for you to have a private and respectful talk with them about what is happening, how it is making you feel and what you would like to happen next time something comes up.

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN RECOGNISE ALL THE WARNING SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?
Head to the Fun & Games page to take a quiz on relationship warning signs and test your knowledge.